tiny red bugs

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Quote:
There are lots and lots of different kinds of mites in the world, many of them fire-engine red, most of them harmless, so since these pre-date your chickens, I would not worry about 'em.

Just a thought though, how big are these things and how many legs do they have -- box elder bugs (live in many parts of the country) tend to come in quantities of a billion or so at a time, esp. in spring and fall. The immature ones are bright red (adults are red and black, sort of a black X on their backs, kinda), but they are larger than mites (1/8-1/2" long depending on age and stage of development) with a segmented-looking body and have only 6, not 8, legs (antennae on head don't count). Box elder bugs are harmless too, btw, I just offer this in case you're curious
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Pat
 
Can you ladies post links to where your ordering you DE from please?
I bet you've shopped around and founfd the best deals and what not already, would save me some searching...today is crazy busy!
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Try yardlover.com

I don't know if it is food grade or not though.


" Trusted Organic Pest Control
Diatomaceous Earth is made from the finely ground fossils of prehistoric fresh water diatoms,and kills common household and garden pests like roaches, ants, fleas, beetles and other listed insects. A long lasting organic pest control, Diatomaceous Earth sprinkles into cracks and crevices where bugs hide. "

Specifications:
Weight: 4 lbs.
Stock Number: 310545
 
We use "Sweet PDZ" It's a stall freshener for horses, however, after examining the label, it's basically the same thing as DE and you can buy it at feed stores. It works the same way at killing bugs and it is food safe. Plus, it'll help keep your coop smelling fresh.
 
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Check out my food grade DE page (link is located in my signature). I've been referencing DE posts on it and there are a few of them that list the different places that we buy it from.

Hope this helps!

Dawn
 
Just a thought though, how big are these things and how many legs do they have -- box elder bugs (live in many parts of the country) tend to come in quantities of a billion or so at a time, esp. in spring and fall. The immature ones are bright red (adults are red and black, sort of a black X on their backs, kinda), but they are larger than mites (1/8-1/2" long depending on age and stage of development) with a segmented-looking body and have only 6, not 8, legs (antennae on head don't count). Box elder bugs are harmless too, btw, I just offer this in case you're curious

Hi Pat,
They are tiny - smaller than a pinhead. I know there's all sorts of critters out there. We are in a wooded area with lots of wild animals around. I guess I'm already getting worried about what they could get. Primarily from the various rodents around here. I think I'll go ahead and order the DE...
Terry​
 
They are tiny - smaller than a pinhead.

Then they're mites.

BUT, if they are there without the chickens being there yet, they are NOT any kind of mite that is likely to infest the chickens. Realio trulio.

Also I can't think of anything that your chickens could 'catch' from wild mammals, not even mice. Most pests and parasites are really quite host-specific, certainly in terms of birds vs mammals at least.

The worst you're likely to see is northern fowl mites from passing-thru hordes of starlings or the like, and frankly that does not depend on whehter you're in the woods or not. heck, you've got a good chance of getting those (or roost mites) no matter where and how you keep your chickens.

Not to say that you will not sprout chicken pests at some point, and having DE around is probably not a bad idea, but really do not worry too much about them catching things from wildlife. Being caught *by* wildlife is the only real concern there
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Have fun,

Pat​
 
Not to say that you will not sprout chicken pests at some point, and having DE around is probably not a bad idea, but really do not worry too much about them catching things from wildlife. Being caught *by* wildlife is the only real concern there

Hi Pat,
Thanks for the reassurances. LOL I've actually already lost one to the wild - a cooper's hawk took my white silkie hen. I've decided not to get any more all white chickens that can't see! I still have the white silkie roo - at least he has better vision. I do love the silkies. I may get some red or black at some point...
Thanks!
Terry​
 
Quote:
Hi Pat,
They are tiny - smaller than a pinhead. I know there's all sorts of critters out there. We are in a wooded area with lots of wild animals around. I guess I'm already getting worried about what they could get. Primarily from the various rodents around here. I think I'll go ahead and order the DE...
Terry

Eww - sounds like Chiggers to me. We have those in mass quantities here in Oklahoma. They make me itch so bad. I'm wondering if DE would kill the little buggers, or if Guineas would eat them. They're so tiny I don't know if Guineas would bother with them.

Edited to add: Chiggers have 6 legs. I think most mites have 8, but there are so many different kinds of mites, there may be 6 legged ones too.
 
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Actually chiggers are mites*. They are an immature stage and thus generally only 6-legged, but they're mites nonetheless.

GOSH I hate chiggers. Did lots of field work in tall grass in NC in grad school, eaten alive by chiggers. And I am not good at not scratching
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* - although there are a lot of different things sometimes called chiggers in different parts of the country and I cannot guarantee that somebody somewhere isn't calling some sort of insect a chigger. But what most people mean by chiggers is a mite.

End of invertebrate biology trivia lesson for the day
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Pat, glad to be living up in the frozen North right now, on a property that lacks poison ivy, ticks or chiggers, although we make up for them in mosquitoes and some blackflies
 
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